Automatic laser scanning of wheel profiles: condition monitoring to achieve greater capacity for existing infrastructure in an extreme climate

Projekt:

JVTC

Sammanfattning:
The Iron Ore Line (Malmbanan) is a 473 km long track section located in northern Sweden and has been in operation since 1903. It is mainly used to transport iron ore and pellets from the mines in Kiruna and Malmberget to Narvik Harbour (Norway) in the northwest and Luleå Harbour (Sweden) in the southeast. The track section on the Swedish side is owned by the Swedish Government and managed by Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration), while the ore wagons are owned and managed by the freight operator (LKAB). Due to the high axle load exerted by the iron ore transports, 30 tonnes, and the high demand for a constant ore/pellets flow, the track and wagons must be monitored and maintained on a regular basis. The condition of the wagon wheel profile is one of the most important aspects in this procedure. For this reason an automatic laser-based wheel profile monitoring system has been installed on this line. This system can automatically measure and monitor the wagon wheel profiles at speeds up to 130 km/h. The system was installed and is being operated in a collaboration project between the freight operator and infrastructure manager. The information generated is collected by the e-maintenance personnel at Luleå Railway Research Center (JVTC). The measurements will be used to diagnose the condition of the wheel and rail, and to optimize their maintenance further. This paper presents a study of the selection and the installation of the equipment. Some results from the measurements are shown. The system’s availability during performance in extreme climate conditions, with severe cold and large quantities of snow, is presented. Then the benefits and perceived challenges of the system are discussed. Some potential improvements in rail and wheel maintenance, to achieve more capacity, are analysed.

Författare: Matthias Asplund ; Matti Rantatalo ; Mikael Palo ; Stephen Mayowa Famurewa ; Karina Wandt ; Thomas Nordmark ; Per Gustafsson
Utgivare: IHHA
Utgivningsdatum: 2013-02-04
Diarienummer: TRV 2011/58769
ISBN: 978-81-926519-1-0
Antal sidor: 7
Språk: Engelska
Kontaktperson: Per Olof Larsson Kråik, UHjbs